And while the UAAP Football season won’t be starting until next year, the 20-year-old Bugas hasn’t lost time on the pitch.

Whether it be in smaller, friendly leagues, or with Global FC in the United Football League, Bugas is making sure that he’s busy, even during the offseason.

Now, the Compostela Valley-native will be taking his youth and talent to the world stage as part of the Philippine Azkals, his second tour of duty for the senior national team. Bugas, along with fellow young-gun OJ Porteria were the most recent Azkals call-ups for the World Cup Qualifiers match against Uzbekistan.

Before heading into the World Cup Qualifiers however, Bugas got a feel of playing with this current roster of the Azkals when he subbed in for Jerry Lucena in the 66th minute of the International Friendly match against Maldives last Thursday.

And while he didn't get to play much or score any goals, or a young player like Bugas, who could very well be one of the future faces of the senior national team, experiences like this are indeed priceless.Just being out there with the team is definitely a confidence booster.

“It was a great opportunity, it was a great chance to be with the most experienced players in the Philippines, especially the foreign-based players. Sobrang saya ko dahil binigyan ako ni Coach Dooley ng chance for my second cap with the national team.” Bugas said right after the Maldives friendly.

And while Bugas isn’t a stranger to international competition, having played in the AFC Cup and the Singapore Cup with Global and stints with the U23 Azkals.

Still, being part of the senior national team during one of the most important stretches of the World Cup Qualifiers is a huge honor in itself, and when Coach Thomas Dooley calls on Bugas’ number, the FEU standout says he’ll be ready.

For Bugas the pressure is the main difference between college play and international play, and with two years left in his UAAP career with the Tamaraws, he’ll surely be coming back to the FEU-Fern pitch with a whole new wealth of experience from his international stints.

Bugas and the Tamaraws will be starting their three-peat bid when the UAAP Season 78 Football Tournament kicks off in February of 2016.

Paolo Bugas and the Philippine Azkals look for another World Cup Qualifier win, this time against Uzbekistan! Catch it live on Tuesday, September 8, 7:45 pm on ABS-CBN Sports+Action 23 and BALLS HD 167!